What Does The Future Hold?
The IPCC predicts that as a result of global warming sea levels will rise by between 0.09 and 0.88 metres by 2100. This may not sound like much, but a half-metre rise in sea level would put paid to many low lying islands, especially in the Pacific, and cause vast saline inundations in countries like Bangladesh. Many cities - among them Mumbai (Bombay) and Bangkok - could be threatened too. Millions of people will be forced to move as 'environmental refugees' to higher ground.
Future global warming will affect different regions in different ways. Take, for example, Europe. A report by the European Acacia Project predicts that parts of southern Europe will become so hot that the tourist industry could suffer and alpine glaciers could melt entirely by the end of the century.
In northern Europe snowfall and rain may increase. In the north cropland productivity is likely to increase, but with the warmer weather will come a greater risk of pests and diseases spreading.